Roof leakage indicates NASS complex needs repairs: Lawan

Senate President Ahmad Lawan says the roof leakage at the National Assembly on Tuesday is an indication that the lawmaking complex is due for rehabilitation.

Mr Lawan during plenary on Wednesday stated this while reacting to a motion raised by Sabi Abdullahi, senate deputy majority whip, concerning the roof leakage which left many Nigerians astonished after the huge sums of money the Buhari regime approved for the repairs of the edifice in 2019.

Clarifying issues surrounding the approved funds for repairs, the top lawmaker said the money was not channeled to the national assembly directly but through the Federal Capital Development Agency (FCDA) which Mr Abdullahi said was reduced to N9billion, due to COVID-19, with “nothing being done” as at Wednesday.

“The fact there was a leak to me is a clear testimony, confirmation and vindication of the position the national assembly took initially,” Lawan said. “Everyone knows that this place is overdue for rehabilitation. We went to see Mr President and he was gracious and he asked us to meet with FCTA, the owners of the building.

“Myself, the speaker, the late chief of staff and minister of finance met to look for money for the rehabilitation of the national assembly. When the N37 billion was approved it was not a national assembly budget, it was an FCDA budget.”